Casket handle retained by spreadable webs

ABSTRACT

A casket handle hinge having spreadable webs for retaining the casket handle. A base plate securable to a casket side wall removably and hingedly receives a handle. A finger connected to the handle projects into a cavity formed in the plate. A pair of spreadable webs attached to the base plate are positioned on either side of the casket handle. A pair of raised stops project from the side of the handle and abut the webs when the handle is in the most downward position. The webs must be spread to allow the stops and handle to pass therebetween for removal of the handle from the plate. A stop edge located at the junction of the finger and handle must be moved past a curved surface on the plate prior to removing the handle from the plate. Three separate and independent pairs of surfaces limit the upward movement of the handle and distribute the lifting force.

United States Patent Johnson [54] CASKET HANDLE RETAINED BY SPREADABLE WEBS [72] Inventor:

sville, Ind. 47331 [22] Filed: Feb. 12, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 114,777

[52] US. Cl ..16/1l4, 27/27 [51] Int. Cl. ..A47b 95/02 [58] Field of Search ..27/27, 2, 6, DIG. 1; 16/114,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,098,421 11/1937 Johnson ..16/112 Primary Examiner-Bobby R. Gay

Assistant ExaminrDoris L. Troutman Attorney woodard, Weikart, Emhardt & Naughton Bennie R. Johnson, R. R. 3, Conner- 1 Oct. 24, 1972 ABSTRACT A casket handle hinge having spreadable webs for retaining the casket handle. A base plate securable to a casket side wall removably and hingedly receives a handle. A finger connected to the handle projects into a cavity formed in the plate. A pair of spreadable webs attached to the base plate are positioned on either side of the casket handle. A pair of raised stops project from the side of the handle and abut the webs when the handle is in the most downward position. The

webs must be spread to allow the stops and handle to pass therebetween for removal of the handle from the plate. A stop edge located at the junction of the finger and handle must be moved past a curved surface on the plate prior to removing the handle from the plate. Three separate and independent pairs of surfaces limit the upward movement of the handle and distribute the lifting force.

12 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEDUBI24|912 7 3.699 611 SHEET 1 BF 3 INVENTOR.

BEN/VIE R. JOHNSON BY llfavdmaglllukmt, W WW AT TURN EYS PATENTEDUBT24 m2 I 3.599 '511 SHEET 2 BF 3 INVENTOR. BENNIE R1 JOHNSON BY ATTORNEY8 PATENT EM 197? 3.699.611

sum 3 OF 3 IMVENTOR. BENN/E R. JOHNSON BY Mm, mmmwm 5 WW ATTORNEYS CASKET HANDLE RETAINED BY SPREADABLE WEBS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION following US. Pat. Nos.: 1,954,485 issued to McClelland; 2,585,403 issued'to Paul; 2,708,301 issued to Wilkirson; 2,946,l 13 issued to Clark; 3,025,624 issued to Harrell; and 3,188,711 issued to Koppen. Many of these prior art handles consist of a plate securable to a wall and a separate arm or handle which may be connected to the plate. The plates andhandles may be installed on the wall by someone other than the producer of the plate and handle. As a result, the plate and handle may be shipped to the installer with the handle becoming separated and perhaps even misplaced with respect to the plate. The present invention solves this problem by having a pair of spreadable webs connected to the plate which prevent the accidental disengagement of the handle from the plate. A stop edge on the handle must first be moved past a curved surface on the plate in order to remove the handle from the plate. 3

Many containers such as caskets are quite heavy with the result that a relatively large amount of force is applied to a specific area of the casket hinge as the handle and casket are lifted. Thus, the prior art casket handle hinges are typically produced from metal and are quite large to prevent breakage asthe handle is lifted. The present invention solves this problem by providing three separate and independent pairs of surfaces which distribute the lifting force more uniformly throughout SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One embodiment of the present invention is a handle hinge comprising a base plate, an arm removably and hingedly connected to said plate and having a first and second side, a first and second stop attached to said first and second side, and a pair of spreadable webs attached to said plate adjacent said first and second side, said webs blocking and acting as a limit for said first and second stop and allowing disengagement of said arm from said plate only when said webs are spread.

I Another embodiment of the present invention is a casket handle hinge comprising an arm having a finger connected thereto, said arm having a first shoulder, a cross member secured to said finger, a base having a It is an object of the present invention to provide means for preventing the accidental disengagement of a removable handle from a plate.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a new and improved casket handle hinge.

Yet another objectof the present invention is to provide a handle hinge having a plurality of independent pairs of surfaces for distributing the lifting force applied to the handle. 1

Related objects and advantages of the present inventionwill be apparent from the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a fragmentary front view of a base plate incorporating the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary front view of a handle incorporating the present invention. J

FIG. 3 is a side view of the handle of FIG. 2 viewed in the direction of arrows 3--3. J

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary back view of the plate of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a back view of the handle of FIG. 3 viewed in the direction of arrows 5-5.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the plate of FIG. 1 with the handle of FIG. 2 being inserted therein- FIG. 7 is the same view as FIG. 6 only with the handle shown in the most downward position and with the plate shown secured to casket wall 18.

FIG. 8 is the same view. as FIG. 7 with a portion of the plate and casket handle broken away and with the han'dle shown in the most upward position.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary front view of the plate of FIG. 1 only showing an alternate embodiment of the spreadable webs.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawing back surface with a finger cavity opening thereon hingedly receiving said finger, said cavity having a pair of and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would norrnally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a base plate 16 and an am 17 which may be hingedly connected together so as to form casket handle 15 shown in FIG. 7. Only a portion of plate 16 is shown in FIG. 1 having a single opening 59 for receiving the arm of FIG. 2.; however, it is understood that a plurality of openings 59 may be provided on plate 16 for receiving a plurality of arms 17. Holes 58 are provided in plate 16 for receiving fasteners for securing the plate to a wall such as a casket side wall. A pair of spreadable webs 23 and 24 have proximal ends 52 and 53 connected to plate 16 and distal ends 54 and 55 having respectively bend reliefs 56 and 57 formed therein so as to allow spreading of the webs to the dashed line position 60. Webs 23 and 24 block and act as a limit for stops 21 and 22 allowing disengagement of arm 17 from plate 16 only when the webs are spread apart to the position shown at 60.

Arm 17 has a first side 19 and an opposite side 20. Stop 21 will now be described it being understood that a similar description applies to stop 22. Stop 21 (FIG. 3) is generally wedge shaped having a pointed first end 50 which is blended into side 19 and a blunt second end 51 which projects outwardly away from side 19. Stops 21 and 22 are identical and as shown in FIG. have bottom ends 51 which project outwardly respectively from sides 19 and having outer surfaces 64 and 65 which are spread apart a distance greater than the distance between surfaces 66 and 67 of webs 23 and 24 in an. un-spread condition. Thus, to remove arm 17 from plate 16, the distance between surfaces 66 and 67 of the webs must be increased so as to allow stops 21 and 22 to pass therethrough.

Attached to the top end of arm 17 is finger 33 (FIG. 2) having a pair of flat straight surfaces 69 and 79 (FIG. 3) and a curved surface 68. The width 71 of finger 33 is less than the width 72 of arm 17. At the junction of finger 33 and arm 17 is a stop edge 27 which extends across the width of arm 17 separating shoulder 26 from curved surface 25. Curved surface is positioned on both sides of finger 33 and is complementary to and in sliding engagement with curved surfaces 28 and 32 of plate 16 (FIG. 1) as said arm is pivoted. Curved surfaces 28 and 32 extend from shoulder 62 to flat surfaces 62' and 63. FIG. 6 shows a side view of the plate and arm withthe arm being positioned in the initial insertion position 31. FIG. 7 is the same view as FIG. 6 only showing the arm in the downward hanging position 30. To remove the arm from the base, stop edge 27 must be moved past curved surface 28 onto flat surfaces 62 and 63. Simultaneously, webs 23 and 24 must be spread so as to allow stops 21 and 22 to pass therethrough. After the webs are spread and the arm has been pivoted so as to position stop edge 27 on flat surfaces 62 and 63, arm 17 should be moved in the direction of arrow 74 (FIG. 6) in order to remove the arm from the plate. The arm is unengageable from the plate when edge 27 is adjacent surfaces 28 and 32. Of course, to install the arm to the plate the reverse procedure would be followed. After the arm has been installed on the plate and the plate has been secured to casket wall 18 (FIG. 7), the arm may be pivoted in the direction of arrow 75 so as to allow curved surfaces 25 to slidingly engage curved surface 28 until shoulder 26 abuts and is stopped by shoulder 62.

FIG. 4 is a view of the back surface 35 of plate 16 showing opening 59 and cavity 36. Cavity 36 opens into opening 59 and has a curved surface 77 blended into a flat surface 76. A pair of identical U-shaped grooves 37 and 38 are positioned respectively adjacent sides 39 and 40 of cavity 36. The vertices 41 and 42 of grooves 37 and 38 are respectively blended into flat surfaces 78 and 79 of groove 37 and fiat surfaces 80 and 81 of groove 38.

A crossbar 34 (FIG. 2) is held by finger 33 having a pair of flat surfaces 47 and 45 blended to a curved surface 46. Surfaces 45, 47 and 46 extend oneither side of finger 33. After finger 33 has been inserted into cavity 36 (FIG. 4) and crossbar 34 rest in grooves 37 and 38, vertices 41 and 42 will act as a bearing surface for crossbar curved surface 46. In addition, curved surface 77 (FIG. 8) provides a bearing surface for finger curved surface 68.

Three independent pairs of surfaces distribute the lifting force applied to the handle when the handle is in the upward carrying position 29 (FIG. 8). The lifting force is applied through a first pair of surfaces defined by shoulders 26 and 62 previously described. The lifting force is also applied through a second pair of surfaces defined by the casket side wall 18 and end 48 of finger 33. When the arm is in the upward lifting position 29, end 48 of finger 33 projects through cavity 36 (FIG. 4) and abuts the surface of the casket side wall 18. The lifting force is also applied through a third pair of surfaces defined by fiat surface 47 (FIG. 3) and flat surfaces 78 and 81 of grooves 37 and 38 (FIG. 4). Thus, when the arm is in the carrying position 29, the lifting force is applied through shoulders 26 and 62, through finger end 48 to casket wall 18, and through crossbar surface 47 to flat surfaces 78 and 81 of grooves 37 and 38.

Many variations in the casket handle hinge are contemplated and included by the present invention. For example, it is possible to have a casket handle hinge having a single spreadable web in lieu of the pair of spreadable webs described herein. In one embodiment of the present invention, plate 16 and spreadable webs 23 and 24 were integral being made from plastic. In the same embodiment, arm 17, finger 33 and crossbar 34 were integral also being made from plastic. A carrying bar 61 is received by arm 17 and may also be received by a second arm not shown. Carrying bar 61 may be produced from metal or plastic. In the latter case, the carrying bar may be integral with arm 17.

FIG. 9 shows an alternate embodiment of the arms and plate with the plate 16 being notched at 82 and 83 to allow webs 84 and 85 to be spread outwardly from opening 59.

It will be evident from the above description that the present invention provides a means for preventing the accidental disengagement of a removable handle from a plate. In addition, it will be evident that the above described apparatus is a new and improved casket handle hinge. It will be further evident from the above description that the present invention provides a handle hinge having a plurality of independent pairs of surfaces for distributing the lifting force applied to the handle.

While the invention hasbeen illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.

The invention claimed is:

1. A handle hinge comprising:

a base plate;

an arm removably and hingedly connected to said plate and having a first and second side;

a first and second stop attached to said first and second side; and,

a pair of spreadable webs attached to said plate adjacent said first and second side, said webs blocking and acting as a limit for said first and second stop and allowing disengagement of said arm from said plate only when said webs are spread.

2. The hinge of claim 1 wherein:

said arm has a first shoulder and a first curved surface forrning a stop edge;

said plate has a second curved surface adjacent and complementary to and in sliding engagement with said first curved surface as said arm is pivoted to the most upward position, said arm is unengageable from said plate when said edge is positioned adjacent said first curved surface; and,

said plate is securable to a casket.

3. The hinge of claim 2 additionally comprising:

a finger attached to said arm and extending into said plate;

a crossbar attached to said finger; and wherein:

said plate has a back surface with a finger receiving cavity opening thereon, said plate has a pair of U- shaped portions formed on the sides of said cavity and opening on said back surface, each of said portions have a vertex bearing surface.

4. The hinge of claim 3 wherein:

said portions have flat surfaces abutting said crossbar when said arm is swung to said upward position; and,

said finger has an end projecting through said cavity and abutting said casket when said arm is in said upward position.

5. The hinge of claim 1 wherein:

each of said stops have a first and second opposite end, said first ends blend into said arm, said second ends project out from said arm, said stops are wedge shaped; and,

each of said webs have proximal ends integrally attached to said plate and distal ends with bend reliefs formed therein.

6. A casket handle hinge comprising:

a base;

an arm having a finger connected thereto, said arm having a first shoulder positioned externally of and in front of said base;

a cross member secured to said finger; and wherein:

said base having a back surface with a finger cavity opening thereon hingedly receiving said finger whereon said arm is pivoted about said cross member, said cavity having a pair of stop surfaces vabutting said cross member when said arm is pivoted to the lifting position for distributing lifting force from said arm and through said stop surfaces to said base, said base having a second shoulder abutting said first shoulder when said arm is pivoted to said lifting position for distributing lifting force from said arm and through said second shoulder to said base.

7. The hinge of claim 6 wherein:

said base is securable to a casket; and,

said finger has a distal end projecting through said back surface and contacting said casket for distributing lifting force from said arm through said distal end to said casket when said first shoulder abuts said second shoulder.

8. A handle hinge comprising:

a base plate;

an arm removably and hingedly connected to said plate;

a stop mounted on said arm; and,

a first movable and flexible wall fixedly mounted on said plate allowingremoval of said arm from said plate only when said wall is moved laterally away from said arm.

9. The hinge of claim 8 wherein:

said plate has a cut out portion wherein said wall is movable and further comprising:

a second movable and flexible wall fixedly mounted on said plate across from said first wall with said arm pivotable therebetween, said first wall and said second wall being spreadable to allow removal of said arm from plate.

10. A handle hinge comprising:

a base having a back surface with an opening thereon and being securable to a wall;

an arm hingedly mounted to said base and having a finger projecting through said opening contacting said wall when said arm is pivoted upward to the lifting position for distributing lifting force applied to said arm through said finger to said wall.

1 1. The hinge of claim 10 wherein:

said arm has a first stop; and,

said base has a movable wall abutting said stop and preventing disengagement of said arm from said base until said wall is moved.

12. The hinge of claim 1 1 wherein:

said arm has a first shoulder positioned outwardly of said base and a first curved rearwardly facing surface forming a stop edge; and,

said base has a second curved external surface adjacent and complementary to and in sliding engagement with said first surface as said arm is pivoted to the most upward position, said arm is unengageable from said base when said stop edge is positioned adjacent said second surface and is removable from said base when said base is not secured to said wall and said arm is pivoted downward so said stop edge is not adjacent said second surface. 

1. A handle hinge comprising: a base plate; an arm removably and hingedly connected to said plate and having a first and second side; a first and second stop attached to said first and second side; and, a pair of spreadable webs attached to said plate adjacent said first and second side, said webs blocking and acting as a limit for said first and second stop and allowing disengagement of said arm from said plate only when said webs are spread.
 2. The hinge of claim 1 wherein: said arm has a first shoulder and a first curved surface forming a stop edge; said plate has a second curved surface adjacent and complementary to and in sliding engagement with said first curved surface as said arm is pivoted to the most upward position, said arm is unengageable from said plate when said edge is positioned adjacent said first curved surface; and, said plate is securable to a casket.
 3. The hinge of claim 2 additionally comprising: a finger attached to said arm and extending into said plate; a crossbar attached to said finger; and wherein: said plate has a back surface with a finger receiving cavity opening thereon, said plate has a pair of U-shaped portions formed on the sides of said cavity and opening on said back surface, each of said portions have a vertex bearing surface.
 4. The hinge of claim 3 wherein: said portions have flat surfaces abutting said crossbar when said arm is swung to said upward position; and, said finger has an end projecting through said cavity and abutting said casket when said arm is in said upward position.
 5. The hinge of claim 1 wherein: each of said stops have a first and second opposite end, said first ends blend into said arm, said second ends project out from said arm, said stops are wedge shaped; and, each of said webs have proximal ends integrally attached to said plate and distal ends with bend reliefs formed therein.
 6. A casket handle hinge comprising: a base; an arm having a finger connected thereto, said arm having a first shoulder positioned externally of and in front of saId base; a cross member secured to said finger; and wherein: said base having a back surface with a finger cavity opening thereon hingedly receiving said finger whereon said arm is pivoted about said cross member, said cavity having a pair of stop surfaces abutting said cross member when said arm is pivoted to the lifting position for distributing lifting force from said arm and through said stop surfaces to said base, said base having a second shoulder abutting said first shoulder when said arm is pivoted to said lifting position for distributing lifting force from said arm and through said second shoulder to said base.
 7. The hinge of claim 6 wherein: said base is securable to a casket; and, said finger has a distal end projecting through said back surface and contacting said casket for distributing lifting force from said arm through said distal end to said casket when said first shoulder abuts said second shoulder.
 8. A handle hinge comprising: a base plate; an arm removably and hingedly connected to said plate; a stop mounted on said arm; and, a first movable and flexible wall fixedly mounted on said plate allowing removal of said arm from said plate only when said wall is moved laterally away from said arm.
 9. The hinge of claim 8 wherein: said plate has a cut out portion wherein said wall is movable and further comprising: a second movable and flexible wall fixedly mounted on said plate across from said first wall with said arm pivotable therebetween, said first wall and said second wall being spreadable to allow removal of said arm from plate.
 10. A handle hinge comprising: a base having a back surface with an opening thereon and being securable to a wall; an arm hingedly mounted to said base and having a finger projecting through said opening contacting said wall when said arm is pivoted upward to the lifting position for distributing lifting force applied to said arm through said finger to said wall.
 11. The hinge of claim 10 wherein: said arm has a first stop; and, said base has a movable wall abutting said stop and preventing disengagement of said arm from said base until said wall is moved.
 12. The hinge of claim 11 wherein: said arm has a first shoulder positioned outwardly of said base and a first curved rearwardly facing surface forming a stop edge; and, said base has a second curved external surface adjacent and complementary to and in sliding engagement with said first surface as said arm is pivoted to the most upward position, said arm is unengageable from said base when said stop edge is positioned adjacent said second surface and is removable from said base when said base is not secured to said wall and said arm is pivoted downward so said stop edge is not adjacent said second surface. 